2006 May | The Mac Night Owl

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Archive for May, 2006

The Night Owl Review: Microsoft’s Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

Night Owl Rating:

Tell me, folks, how long should it take a company to take an existing Windows-oriented keyboard and change a couple of key tops to make it Mac-like? Well, you’d think a few days in the scheme of things, but it has taken Microsoft months to ready its $99.95 “first Mac-specific desktop.” What this means in the real world is that this is “Microsoft’s only keyboard without the Windows Start button.” The drivers are also Universal, making it compatible with both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs, and incorporates the standard preset hot keys for the platform.

Other than these few changes, it’s otherwise identical to Microsoft’s Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, which has been available for a while. However, the Mac version won’t actually ship until the summer, although they were happy to send me an early production version for review.

Now before you get the idea that I intend the pan the product, the answer is no. In fact, as wireless keyboard and mouse combos go, it’s quite good. It even has features, such as the slightly curved layout, that might appeal to you if you find your wrists sore after a long day at work in front of your Mac. I just wanted to get the spin out of the way, and deal with reality.

Let’s start with the Comfort Curve option, which Microsoft claims “is preferred by a ratio of 3-to-1 over flat, straight keyboards.” Now this is not a so-called ergonomic keyboard, a design in which the keyboard is split into three distinct segments. Instead the main keypad is curved downward at the center. This may seem a bit strange at first glance, but if you’re a touch typist, you will probably adapt within a few minutes, as I did. And I am not fan of split keyboards.

In fact, I’m inclined to agree with Microsoft that their design represents a potentially superior alternative to the standard, ruler-straight keyboards most of you are used to. It’s smooth, comfortable, and only suffers because of the clunky sound made by the key switches. I suppose in all that time researching how to change a few key tops, Microsoft didn’t bother to consider that Mac users prefer quieter environments, but they’re not the only offender here. Actually, the noise isn’t terribly obtrusive when compared against the usual sounds of a home or office environment. Or maybe Microsoft wanted to mimic the keyboard sounds you hear in movies and on TV when someone is working on a computer.

The dark gray and silver keyboard also includes the standard array of multimedia features, with buttons for audio levels, iTunes playback functions, plus your chat, email, music, photo and Web applications. There are also five “favorites” buttons that you can, like the application launching keys, customize to your taste in the Microsoft Keyboard preference pane.

In addition to the curved design, there’s a Zoom key that can increase or reduce text size in many applications. If you have trouble deciphering the five-point type used by some sites, this feature will definitely come in handy.

The mouse is a typical Microsoft product, with smooth, fluid action. Unlike competing products, the tilting scroll wheel is silent when moving up or down through. It’s also far more comfortable than the scroll button in Apple’s Mighty Mouse, and unlike some input devices, the Microsoft mouse isn’t saddled with lots of extra programmable buttons to decipher. Aside from the standard two buttons and scroll wheel, there’s a button that, with the wheel, zooms the text, and another to move backwards through a site. These, and the click function of the wheel, can be programmed if you prefer to change the standard layout.

If there’s anything to criticize, it’s the fact that the mouse uses USB and RF rather than Bluetooth for its wireless connection, but it’s fair to say that not all Macs ship with standard Bluetooth, so why saddle many of you with an extra expense if you want this product?

While I may seem a little down on Microsoft’s Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, I actually like it a lot. If I wasn’t put off by the marketing, and a few minor nits, I’d give it five owls. Now if Microsoft would consider a lighter color scheme and a quieter keyboard, I might like it even more.

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The Hopes and Dreams for the Mac Pro

Tuesday, May 30th, 2006

Let’s make it simple: I have already made public predictions on the subject, here, on my radio show and on Craig Crossman’s syndicated broadcast, Computer America. In each case I said something that I regard as obvious, that Apple will be announcing a professional desktop computer, known as the Mac Pro, during the WWDC in August.

This doesn’t require any of the abilities, real or imagined, that I talk about on the paranormal radio show I host with my friend, David Biedny. Instead, it involves a simple reading of Intel’s processor roadmap. According to current plans, Intel will be releasing its newest desktop processor family, code-named Conroe, or Core 2 Duo, in late July. Right now, it’s reasonable to assume that Apple is already testing prototype versions, and may, in fact, be in the final stages of deciding the ultimate design of the new desktop.

So far I haven’t strayed from known facts to project the release of Apple’s new hardware. It doesn’t matter the specifics of the chip. The existing Core Duo is exceptionally fast, and the Core 2 Duo will no doubt be noticeably faster. But I won’t dwell on the Mac Pro’s specs, except to suggest that some elements of the existing Power Macs will be retained.

In fact, based on what Apple’s done so far, with the possible exception of the MacBook, you can expect the form factor of the new desktop to be quite close to the current model, even if it somewhat resembles a cheese grater. In fact, it may be almost indistinguishable externally. Before you object, hear me out, because there’s more.

You see, the fact that it looks the same, or nearly the same, doesn’t mean the internal layout has to follow current design. The new Intel chips will run a lot cooler than the G5, so Apple won’t need liquid systems and other ventilation legerdemain in order to keep the new machine from running hot. That may even reduce production costs, but I don’t expect Apple to suddenly reduce the price by any major degree, though it’s possible the top-of-the-line may sell for below three grand in the U.S.

Having a simpler cooling system to work with may afford Apple sufficient room inside to address one of the serious deficiencies in the current Power Mac, which is the number of internal drives you can add. Right now, there’s room for two, which means you can add one more and that’s it. Forgetting any third party solutions for the moment, it should be possible to install four drives. I don’t necessarily see reason for any additional RAM slots, nor expansion slots, but I’m sure some of you will provide good reason why I’m wrong, which is why we have space for your comments.

Connection ports would be similarly configured, though another one of the USB variety might be added. There may also be a front-mounted card slot for memory cards, something professional digital photographers would cherish. I am, though, on the fence about the Front Row remote, but in the end, it’ll probably be there to fill out the entire product line.

In terms of processors, I suspect the lineup will be similar to what you get today, with a single Core 2 Duo chip in all but the flagship model, which will sport two such chips, or perhaps even four, to make it a true workhorse.

Now this new Mac Pro will have to exist for at least six months without a Universal version of Adobe’s Creative Suite, and that means Apple will be tweaking Rosetta to provide enhanced emulation performance. I originally thought that would wait for the release of Leopard, but Apple might do it in a Tiger system release.

In fact, in the end, the new desktop will be so powerful as to provide emulation at speeds that exceed today’s speediest hardware. Yes, I have in the past suggested Apple might want to postpone this beast until more Universal software is out, but that’s not too realistic. Apple is pulling out all stops to complete its Intel transition as soon as it can. Better that they keep a couple of PowerPC models in stock for a while to fill demand, if any, for the older boxes.

The arrival of the Mac Pro, however, won’t complete the lineup. A new Intel-based Xserve may also appear around the same time, or shortly thereafter.

But there is one more thing: There are published reports from some rumor sites suggesting Apple might be working on a low-cost, flat panel all-in-one to replace the eMac in the educational market. Imagine the guts of the entry-level Mac mini built into a 15-inch display, and retailing for, say $799 minus the usual educational discount, and you’ll see what I mean. Apple might even dispense with the Web cam and remote control to cut costs even further.

I am getting ahead of myself, though, and I haven’t even arrived at any speculation for Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. Your wish list, though, is welcomed, and I’ll have more to say on that subject shortly.

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Newsletter Issue #339 Preview: Apple and the Online Press

Monday, May 29th, 2006

For months, people have been talking about Apple’s efforts to use the courts get information about who might have leaked confidential information about a new digital interface from several Mac Web sites and their ISPs. The news about Apple’s defeat on Friday in a California appeals court may not be the end of the story, however. As with most matters of extreme legal import, there may be further skirmishes in the courts, but that decision is up to Apple at this point.

Meantime, before you read our newsletter commentary on the matter, I recommend you check out the actual decision, which is posted here. The hour or so you spend reading it will put you in a better position to evaluate some of the knee-jerk reactions that have been published so far.

Click here to read the rest of this week’s newsletter.

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